OPT Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs
Behavioral Health Counselor roles on OPT typically require a master's degree in counseling, social work, or a related field. Most positions also require state licensure or supervised hours toward licensure, which matters for your OPT timeline. STEM OPT extension is not available for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsBehavioral Health Counselor - MS Licensed - PRN
Job Description
Overview
Position Title: Behavioral Health Counselor – MS Licensed (PRN)
Department: Psychiatry ECR
Location: Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, IN
Shift: Part-Time Day
Position Overview: The Behavioral Health Counselor facilitates patient involvement in treatment and education within a multidisciplinary setting. This role involves individual, group, and family counseling, discharge planning, utilization review, and crisis intervention. The counselor collaborates closely with healthcare teams, community agencies, and protective services to ensure patients receive safe, timely, and resource-rich care. The position also includes managing complex cases such as abuse, neglect, guardianship, and high-risk crises, with a focus on de-escalation and safety.
Key Responsibilities:
- Facilitate patient involvement in treatment, education, and recovery through individual, group, and family counseling.
- Conduct psychosocial assessments evaluating prior functioning, support systems, reactions to illness, and coping strategies.
- Provide mental health assessments upon physician referral and deliver therapeutic interventions, including crisis and community resource referrals.
- Support complex discharge planning, including guardianship, foster care, adoption, and mental health placements.
- Serve as the primary point person for cases involving child abuse/neglect, adult/elderly abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence.
- Act as liaison between IU Health, protective teams, law enforcement, and community agencies.
- Respond to dangerous or potentially dangerous situations with clinical intervention and de-escalation techniques.
- Support patients in acute crises, utilizing de-escalation skills to prevent violence.
- Assist with decision-making and goals of care conversations to optimize patient outcomes.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with community organizations, schools, law enforcement, and social services.
- Document assessments and interventions accurately in the electronic medical record system.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field.
- Requires 3-5 years of relevant healthcare, mental health, or community-based experience.
- Current Indiana license as an LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, LCAC, or HSPP required.
- Certification in crisis intervention may be required.
- BLS certification may be required.
- Knowledge of psychosocial assessments, therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention techniques.
- Understanding of disease processes and human behavior in health-related social needs.
- Proficiency in evidence-based practices such as CBT, MI, and DBT.
- Knowledge of state and county legal mandates for child and adult protective services.
- Strong understanding of growth and development principles across the lifespan.
- Ability to maintain principles and techniques of crisis intervention and de-escalation.
- Ability to create a safe, therapeutic environment and instruct patients in daily activities.
- Basic proficiency in Electronic Medical Records and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Ability to develop and sustain collaborative relationships with community agencies, law enforcement, schools, and healthcare teams.
Why IU Health?
Join Indiana's leading healthcare system, committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. We offer opportunities for professional development, a collaborative team environment, and a focus on improving community health.
Benefits: Benefits Designed for You
We are an equal opportunity employer. IU Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Indiana University Health is Indiana’s most comprehensive health system, with 15 hospitals and nearly 40,000 team members serving Hoosiers across the state. Our partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine gives our team members access to the very latest science and the very best training, advancing care for all. We’re looking for team members who share the things that matter most to us. People who are inspired by challenging and meaningful work for the good of every patient. People who are compassionate and serve with a purpose. People who aspire to excellence every day. People who are always ready to apply themselves.
Behavioral Health Counselor - MS Licensed - PRN
Job Description
Overview
Position Title: Behavioral Health Counselor – MS Licensed (PRN)
Department: Psychiatry ECR
Location: Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, IN
Shift: Part-Time Day
Position Overview: The Behavioral Health Counselor facilitates patient involvement in treatment and education within a multidisciplinary setting. This role involves individual, group, and family counseling, discharge planning, utilization review, and crisis intervention. The counselor collaborates closely with healthcare teams, community agencies, and protective services to ensure patients receive safe, timely, and resource-rich care. The position also includes managing complex cases such as abuse, neglect, guardianship, and high-risk crises, with a focus on de-escalation and safety.
Key Responsibilities:
- Facilitate patient involvement in treatment, education, and recovery through individual, group, and family counseling.
- Conduct psychosocial assessments evaluating prior functioning, support systems, reactions to illness, and coping strategies.
- Provide mental health assessments upon physician referral and deliver therapeutic interventions, including crisis and community resource referrals.
- Support complex discharge planning, including guardianship, foster care, adoption, and mental health placements.
- Serve as the primary point person for cases involving child abuse/neglect, adult/elderly abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence.
- Act as liaison between IU Health, protective teams, law enforcement, and community agencies.
- Respond to dangerous or potentially dangerous situations with clinical intervention and de-escalation techniques.
- Support patients in acute crises, utilizing de-escalation skills to prevent violence.
- Assist with decision-making and goals of care conversations to optimize patient outcomes.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with community organizations, schools, law enforcement, and social services.
- Document assessments and interventions accurately in the electronic medical record system.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field.
- Requires 3-5 years of relevant healthcare, mental health, or community-based experience.
- Current Indiana license as an LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, LCAC, or HSPP required.
- Certification in crisis intervention may be required.
- BLS certification may be required.
- Knowledge of psychosocial assessments, therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention techniques.
- Understanding of disease processes and human behavior in health-related social needs.
- Proficiency in evidence-based practices such as CBT, MI, and DBT.
- Knowledge of state and county legal mandates for child and adult protective services.
- Strong understanding of growth and development principles across the lifespan.
- Ability to maintain principles and techniques of crisis intervention and de-escalation.
- Ability to create a safe, therapeutic environment and instruct patients in daily activities.
- Basic proficiency in Electronic Medical Records and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Ability to develop and sustain collaborative relationships with community agencies, law enforcement, schools, and healthcare teams.
Why IU Health?
Join Indiana's leading healthcare system, committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. We offer opportunities for professional development, a collaborative team environment, and a focus on improving community health.
Benefits: Benefits Designed for You
We are an equal opportunity employer. IU Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Indiana University Health is Indiana’s most comprehensive health system, with 15 hospitals and nearly 40,000 team members serving Hoosiers across the state. Our partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine gives our team members access to the very latest science and the very best training, advancing care for all. We’re looking for team members who share the things that matter most to us. People who are inspired by challenging and meaningful work for the good of every patient. People who are compassionate and serve with a purpose. People who aspire to excellence every day. People who are always ready to apply themselves.
See all 383+ OPT Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Behavioral Health Counselor
Clarify your licensure status upfront
Most Behavioral Health Counselor positions require a state license or documented progress toward one. Know exactly where you stand before applying. Employers hiring on OPT need confidence you can legally practice, so lead with your licensure timeline in your cover letter.
Target employers with supervision infrastructure
Community health centers, hospital systems, and nonprofits often have licensed supervisors on staff who can oversee your hours toward licensure. These organizations are more likely to understand OPT work authorization and have experience hiring international counseling graduates.
Highlight your degree field on every application
OPT must be directly related to your degree. A master's in clinical mental health counseling or social work is a strong match for this role. State that connection explicitly in your resume and cover letter so hiring managers see the authorization is straightforward.
Start your OPT application early
USCIS recommends applying up to 90 days before your program end date. Behavioral Health Counselor hiring timelines can stretch two to three months, so having your EAD in hand before you start applying puts you in a much stronger position with employers.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before accepting an offer
Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization. Since this role does not qualify for STEM extension, you need an employer willing to sponsor an H-1B visa before your OPT expires. Raise the sponsorship question during the offer stage, not after.
Focus on employers with a record of sponsoring counselors
Large behavioral health networks, federally qualified health centers, and VA facilities have sponsored international workers before and understand the process. Search Migrate Mate to find Behavioral Health Counselor roles at employers actively open to OPT candidates and visa sponsorship.
Behavioral Health Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Behavioral Health Counselor on OPT?
Yes, as long as your employment is directly related to your degree. A master's in clinical mental health counseling, social work, or a closely related field satisfies the OPT direct-relationship requirement for this role. You'll need your EAD card before starting work, and your position must align with the field listed on your SEVIS record.
Does Behavioral Health Counselor qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Behavioral Health Counseling falls under CIP codes in the social and behavioral sciences, not the STEM-designated fields recognized by DHS. That means your OPT work authorization is limited to 12 months. Planning for H-1B sponsorship or another nonimmigrant visa before your OPT expires is essential.
Do I need a state license to work as a Behavioral Health Counselor on OPT?
Licensure requirements depend on the state and the specific job. Many entry-level positions allow you to work under supervision while accumulating hours toward a license such as the LPC, LMHC, or LCSW. Confirm the employer's requirements before applying, since unlicensed practice in a state that requires it could jeopardize both your employment and your OPT status.
How do I find Behavioral Health Counselor employers who sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by sponsorship willingness. Behavioral Health Counselor roles at community mental health centers, hospital systems, and federally qualified health centers are among the most active hirers of international graduates in this field. Browsing by employer type on Migrate Mate helps you focus on organizations with a sponsorship track record.
What happens to my OPT if I'm still accumulating supervision hours toward licensure?
Your OPT status is tied to active, qualifying employment, not licensure status. Working under a licensed supervisor while accruing hours counts as valid OPT employment as long as the role is related to your degree and you're being compensated. Unpaid supervision hours do not satisfy OPT employment requirements, so confirm your arrangement includes paid employment before your program ends.